Door hanger structure



July 28, 1936. R, DANLEY 2,048,845

DOOR HANGER STRUCTURE I Filed Oct. 16, 1935 Patented July 28, 1936 UNITED STATES ATE T OFFICE 2,048,845 noon HANGER .srnuo'rmm Don It. Danley, Mendomlvlich.

Application October 16, 1935, Serial No.'-45,176

18 Claims. (Cl. 16 -87) This invention relates to improvements in door hanger structures.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide an improved sliding door hanger structure particularly well adapted for barns, stables, garages and the like, although it is well adapted for use on freight cars, delivery vehicles, or the like.

Second, to provide a sliding door structure in which the track is completely enclosed thereby protecting the parts from the elements and also preventing birds and animals from building nests therein and obstructing the opening of the door.

Third, to provide a sliding door structure which is characterized by substantially frictionless ope eration, yet is sturdy and a wear resisting structure.

Fourth, to provide a sliding door hanger structure which is easily assembled and easily attached to the building, and may be very economically manufactured.

Objects pertaining to details and economies of my invention will definitely appear from the de-'- scription to follow. The invention is defined in the claims.

A structure which embodies the features of my invention is clearly illustrated inthe accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section along line ll of Figs. 2 and 3 of adoor hanger structure embodying the features of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view there of.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view partially in section on line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a modified form of bearing support. r

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view partially in section through the track and hanger of the modified form of my invention.

Fig. 6 is a front elevation of a sliding door equipped with my improved hanger.

Objections to known types of hanger structure for sliding doors of the type employed on barns, stables or vehicles such as freight cars, etc., lie in the fact that they are open to the elements or that their open structure furnishes a place in which birds and animals may gain ready access to build nests or otherwise impede the operation thereof. Further, they'are complicated in structure and present dimculties in assembly as well as expensein manufacture which is not desirable in a device intended for cheap marketing. Also,

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The doorhanger member designated generally ibyj thesnumeral. I9 is also formed of an elongated stripof sheet metal which is conformed to proyi e acylindrically curvedslide member emdue to the rough usage to which said structures are subjected, a device. embodying maximum strength along with simplicity of structure is also to be very greatly desired. The embodiments of my invention which I have chosen for illustration possess characteristics which overcome the above noted defects in the prior known doorhanger structures.

Referringto the drawing, reference numeral I indicates abuilding provided witha sliding door 2. The track member or element ofmy improved sliding door hanger structure designated generally by the numeral 3.. consists .of a tubular track portion A, a housing portion 5 and a web-like hanger portion 6. This track member is formed of an elongated strip of sheet metal suitably conformed to provide these parts. The web-like attaching portion'fi islongitudinallyribbed at l to stiffen the same. .The housing portion 5 extends outwardly and downwardly .from the lower edge of the attaching portion 16 and terminates in a scrolllike roll 8 terminating in the tubular track 4, this tubular track being the inner convolution of the scrollor spiral roll. The track 4 has spaced openings 19 in :its top surrounded by upwardly tapered flanges l0 receiving the ball bearingltmembers. :H. .The diameter of the openings is less than the diameter of the balls so that the balls areretained within the openings to project therefrom asillustrated.

.The halls are supported by. hearing members l2 preferably .of anti-friction composition, a fibrous composition being very satisfactory. These are supported by the c shaped spring supports I3 which .areslidable longitudinally within thetrack and may .be compressed sufiiciently to permit. the bearing members .with the bearings thereinto slide along .th'etrack until a bearing member is brought opposite, one of the bearing openings in the track'owhen the .parts will proper- 'ly position .themselves.

o In the modification shown in :Figs. 4 and 5 the .bearingiopenings M .in the track are elongated1toreceive the barrel-shaped bearings 15. .Theibearing members 16 in this embodiment are also 0 shaped,.being arranged to embrace the bearings .15 and having bearing openings ll therein. registering with the openings M in the track. 'Thellugs lfl'are'struckinwardly from the arms of the support l8.to support the bearing bracing the track and riding upon the bearings thereof. The strip is also shaped to provide an angled door attaching member 2| which fits over the upper edge of the door and is secured upon the face thereof as by means of screws or bolts 22. The attaching web 6 and the attaching web 2! are both perforated at suitable intervals to receive the attaching screws. 1 have illustrated the attaching portions as being web-like or continuous but they may be divided or portions cut out to reduceweight and save material, that is the attaching portions might be in the form of straps with satisfactory results but I prefer the web-like attaching portions. As 7 is apparent from the structure illustrated embodyingmy inpletely encased.

The structure is very economical to-produce 1 and the bearing members may be readily formed of self-lubricating frictionless material, thereby avoidingthe'necss'ity of lubrication and promoting long life. The structure is also substantially noiseless. 1 i

LI provide an.end platel23 at one end of the track-member, this; servingas a stop. and also closing the housing at thatiend. The slide moves freely withoutbinding engagement and it can adjust itself freely to any conditions arising from warpage or non-alinement. The housing effectively. protects the. bearing parts from weather and also birds and animalsare eifectivelyexcluded.

Thestructure may be made very compact, that is, the housing can be made to so closely fit the slide that it is impossible forv a bird or animal to find access. There should: be sufiicient room, however, .so that. the slide is free to adjust itself on the bearings and contacts only, therewith.

I I have illustrated and described my invention in embodiments which I have .found very practical. I have not attempted to illustrate and describe other embodiments and adaptations which I contemplate as I believe this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my improvements as maybe desired.

Having thus described my inventionwhat I claim as new and desire to securerby LettersPatentis: V

1. In a door hanger structure, the combination of a track member formed of an elongated strip of sheet metal conformed to provide an upper weblike attaching portion, an intermediate outwardly and downwardly inclined housing portion terminating in aspiral, the inner convolution of which is of substantially cylindrical cross section and constitutes a track supported within the housing, the track having spaced bearing openings .at the top thereof surrounded by upwardly tapered flanges, segmental bearing members of composition self-lubricating material having concaved bearing seats disposed within saidltrack in opposed relation tosaid. bearing openings, said bearing members being provided with spring supports, bearings arranged in said bearing members to project through said openingsv in said track, and a door hanger member formed of an .elongatedstrip of sheet metal conformed to provide a cylindricallylcurved slide member embracing said trackand an angled web-like .door attaching portion.

2. In a door hanger structure, the combination of atrack member formed of an elongated strip of sheet metal conformed to provide an upper web-like attaching portion, an intermediate outwardly and-downwardlyinclined housing portion terminating in a spiral, the inner convolution of which is of substantially cylindrical cross section and constitutes a track supported within the housing, the track having spaced bearing openings at the top thereof, bearing members having concaved bearing seats disposed Within said track in opposed relation to said bearing openings, bearings arranged in said bearing members to project through said openings in said track, and a door hanger member formed of an elongated strip of sheet metal conformed to provide a cylindrically curved slide member embracing said track and an angled web-like door attaching portion.

"vide an upper web-like attaching portion, an intermediate outwardly and downwardly inclined housing portion terminating in a spiral, the innericonvolution of, which is of substantially cylindrical cross section and constitutes a track supported within the housing, the trackhaving spaced bearing openings at the top thereof surrounded by upwardly tapered flanges, segmental bearing members of composition material hav-, ing concaved bearing seats disposed within said track in opposed relation to said bearing openings, said bearing members being provided with spring supports, and bearings arranged in said bearing members to project through said openings in said track. Y 4..In a door hanger trackstructure, the combination of a track member formed of an elongated strip of sheet metal conformed to provide an upper web-like attaching portion, an intermediate outwardly and downwardly inclined housing portion terminating in a spiral, the inner convolution of which is of substantially cylindrical cross section and constitutes a track supported within the housing, the track having spaced bearing openings at the top thereof, and bearings arranged to project through said openingsin said track.

5. In a door, hanger track structure, the combination of a track member comprising an upper web-like attaching portion, an intermediate housingportion terminating inan inturned coil constituting a track supported within the housing, the track having spaced bearing openings at .the top thereof, bearing members disposed within said track in opposed relation to said bearing openings, bearings arranged in said bearing members .to project through said openings in said track, and a door hanger member comprisang a cylindrically curved slide member embracing said track and a door attaching portion ex- '7.,In a doorhanger structure, the combinathereof surrounded by upwardly tapered flanges, bearing members having bearing seats disposed within said track in opposed relation to said bearing openings, and bearings arranged in said bearing members to project through said openings in said track.

8. In a door hanger structure, the combination of a track member comprising a housing portion terminating in an inturned coil consti tuting a track supported within the housing, the track having spaced bearing openings at the top thereof, and bearings arranged to projec through said openings in said track. 1

9. In a door hanger structure, the combination of a track member comprising an upper web-like attaching portion, an intermediate housing portion terminating in an inturned coil constituting a track supported within the housing, the track having spaced bearing openings at the top thereof, and bearings arranged to project through said openings in said track, said openings being smaller than said bearings whereby the bearings are restrained in the track.

10. In a door hanger structure, the combination of a tubular track formed of sheet metal rolled upon itself, one edge of the track being extended to provide a housing disposed above the track, said track having spaced openings in the top thereof, bearing members arranged in said openings, supporting bearings for said bearing members arranged within the track, said supporting bearings being provided with C-shaped spring metal supports, and a coacting sheet metal hanger comprising a curved slide portion arranged within said housing to embrace said track and slidably supported on said bearings.

11. In a door hanger structure, the combination of a tubular track formed of sheet metal rolled upon itself, one edge of the track being extended to provide a housing disposed above the track, said track having spaced openings in the top thereof, bearing members arranged in said openings, and a coacting sheet metal hanger comprising a curved slide portion arranged within said housing to embrace said track and slidably supported on said bearings.

12. In a door hanger structure, the combination of a tubular track formed of sheet metal rolled upon itself, one edge of the track being extended to provide a housing disposed above the track and an attaching web extending from said housing, said track having spaced openings in the top thereof, bearing members arranged in said openings, a coacting sheet metal hanger comprising a curved slide portion arranged within said housing to embrace said track and slidably supported on said bearings, and an offset door attaching web or strap.

13. In a door hanger track structure, the combination of a tubular track having spaced openings in the top thereof surrounded by a tapered flange, bearing members arranged in said openings, and supporting bearings for said bearing members arranged within the track, said supporting bearings being provided with C-shaped spring metal supports.

14. In a door hanger track structure, the combination of a tubular track having spaced openings in the top thereof, bearing members arranged in said openings, and supporting bearings for said bearing members arranged within the track and resiliently urging said bearing members toward said openings.

15. In a door hanger track structure, the combination of a tubular track having spaced openings in the top thereof, bearing members arranged in said openings, and supporting bearings of fibrous self-lubricating material for said bearing members arranged within the track.

16. In a door hanger structure, the combination of a tubular track having spaced openings in the top thereof, bearing members arranged in said track to project through said openings, and a coacting hanger comprising a curved slide portion embracing said track and slidably supported on said bearings.

17. In a door hanger structure, the combination of a tubular track having spaced transversely disposed elongated openings in the top thereof, barrel-shaped bearing members arranged in said openings to project from the track, supporting bearings of anti-friction material having bearing seats conformed to the bearing members supported within said track in opposed relation to the bearing openings thereof, and a coacting hanger comprising a curved slide embracing said track and slidably supported on said bearings, the curve of the track corresponding to the longitudinal curvature of the bearings.

18. In a door hanger structure, the combination of a tubular track having spaced transversely disposed elongated openings in the top thereof, barrel-shaped bearing members arranged in said openings to project from the track, and a coacting hanger comprising a curved slide embracing said track and slidably supported on said bearings, the curve of the track corresponding to the longitudinal curvature of the bearings.

DON R. DANLEY. 

